TRDWTR Review

Paperback: 130 pages

Publisher: Darkrose Studios; 1ST edition (2014)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 0989898288

ISBN-13: 978-0989898287

Taking place in a dystopian future, Morgan Rosenblum and
Darkrose Studios brings an action packed story featuring a team of super
operatives battling threats. Originally conceived as a screen play it was adapted
into a graphic novel with the help of a successful Kickstarter project.

The world sits on the brink of chaos, and while many nations
focus on securing their borders, others make a show of strength with preemptive
measures. Germany takes the more aggressive stance, by striking first, and
seizing weaponry from a weaker nation. Lead by the erratic General Kirklau,
Germany swings the balance of power. Governments and world organizations can do
little more than watch, each fearing to make the move that pushes the world
into world war. Treadwater is the only organization taking a proactive stance
to keep the world afloat, while others helplessly do just that – tread water.

Treadwater, referenced
by the acronym TRDWTR (Technological Research and Development Working Toward a
Resolution), is the product of a brilliant medical researcher named Allen
Downs. Downs has hand-picked each member of the TRDWTR team by bartering
something uniquely important to them in exchange for working as one of his
super operatives. While General Kirklau and Germany are perceived to be the
biggest threat by the rest of the world, another, much bigger THREAT grows
stronger – the Children of Chaos. TRDWTR knows that it’s only a matter of time
before the world sees true destruction and devastation at their hands.

The action keeps up from start to finish, which only makes
the end more painful, as this is only the first book of the series and it’ll be
a little bit of a wait before the next one is delivered. Morgan Rosenblum
really delivered on his promise of a mature take on the superhero genre, set in
a plausible geopolitical future. The back stories for all of the characters are so well conceived and detailed. Ray Dillon’s artwork leaps off the pages, so
it’s no surprise that plans for the series to jump into other mediums is
already in place. The contrasts and colors are beautifully crafted. TRDWTR is utterly addictive, with its damaged characters and
breakneck paced storytelling.